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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
Under nutrition is a major public health problem among school children. Adequate nutrition is critical for optimal growth and health development of children. To assess the nutritional health of rural tribal 6-12 years school going children of Khowai district, Tripura. The sample for the present cross sectional study was conducted in three schools (Sukhiabari Jr. B School, R.S Colony Sr. B School and Kalidas Debbarma Smriti Sr. B School) rural based primary and Sr. B School of Khowai district, Tripura, in India. Total of 155 students (78 boys and 77 girls) of aged 6-12 years were participated in the study. The sample was selected by cluster random sampling method. The subjects consisted mostly from families of lower socio-economic class of Hindu and some were from Christian community and are consisted to be by typical of average Indian children. The children were assessed for nutritional status by clinical examination as well as anthropometric assessment. Weight and height of the children were measured and height-for-age (stunting), weight-for-height (wasting) and weight-for-age (under weight) were calculated. Out of 155 numbers of school children, wasting was found in 53.83% boys and 72.71% girls out of which 16.12% children showed severe degree of wasting. Stunting was found in 37% boys and 58.44%. Rice consumption, family size, infection, vaccination, latrine availability were significantly associated with malnutrition. Hair changes were seen in 80.64%. Teeth changes were seen in 56.12%. Skin changes were noted in 65.80% children. The study provided evidence that school children in Sukhiabari village were under acute and chronic nutritional stress. Promoting appropriate dietary habits through effective nutritional education would be an effective preventive method. Main focus should be on qualitative and quantitative impartment on the diets with increased awareness on importance of preventing under-nutrition. Under-nutrition was pronounced in girls as compared to boys.